The Great Crossing Epic — 2026 (Ultracycling Challenges)

The Great Crossing Epic is a trans‑European ultracycling challenge staged by Ultracycling Challenges that runs from Munich, Germany to the fountain of wine at Ayegui, Spain. The 2026 edition is scheduled to start on 11 July 2026 and riders have until sunset on 24 July 2026 to reach the finish. The full course covers approximately 2,155 km and includes around 40,000 m of climbing as it crosses the Alps and the Pyrenees, with iconic climbs such as Mont Ventoux and Col du Tourmalet on the route. The event combines long alpine passes and technical descents, demanding strong navigation and endurance across mixed terrain.

Racing may be entered solo or in teams of two to four, and the format is fully self‑supported with no drafting and no e‑bikes permitted; riders must carry their own supplies and respect local traffic laws. An optional Explorer Points framework rewards riders who climb specified segments such as Mont Ventoux, with overall classification decided first by Explorer Points and then by elapsed time. Entrants receive full GPX route files, live tracking during the ride, and a starter kit plus finisher goodies including a biodegradable trophy and a small bottle of local wine. Rider materials and official documents are provided in English, German and Spanish and the organiser publishes rider manuals and agreements on the event page.